1998 3.2 Manual Targa - Midnight Purple

There are ten sub-species of Tiger: Three are extinct. Of the remaining, the South China Tiger (Panthera tigris amoyensis) is by far the rarest. Found in central and eastern China, according to the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, the South China Tiger is listed as critically endangered. It is estimated to be functionally extinct. Currently 47 South China tigers live in 18 zoos, all in China.

We run a little zoo here for endangered NSXs. There are also ten sub-species of the original NSX.

Which is the rarest? It is this one: A 1998, pop-up lights, 3.2 six speed manual Targa. In 1998, Honda UK sold 10 cars. Only 1 was a 3.2 Manual Targa, coincidently in Midnight Purple, with tan leather, the same specification as this one. So when this car was bought by its current owner - an international businessman working in Japan - and returned to UK, it doubled the numbers from one to two. Shame they were not a breeding pair.

It’s been in captivity (professional storage) with us ever since. It has covered 76,000km (47,500 miles) from new.

We have just completed a full check over and a full cam belt service was carried out less than 200 miles ago. We have fixed all mechanical faults, no matter how small. The owner has recently spent over 10,000GBP with us on restoration, maintenance and servicing. It has new tyres, on perfect, unmarked wheels. A new MOT has just been issued with no advisories. It has excellent paintwork and superb, unmarked leather.

1993 Manual Coupe

Plans Performance is an NSX specialist. Today we have seventeen NSXs on our premises – here for service, repairs, restoration, or for sale. Other than at an owners’ club meeting, you will not see as many NSXs in one place anywhere else in the world.

We always have the best selection of classic NSXs for sale. We pride ourselves on selling only the best cars. If you are considering buying an NSX, this is why you should buy from Plans:

The problem with the usual “motor trade” is their fundamental business model: Most dealers will try to buy as cheap as possible; do the minimum work on the car - usually focussing on the cosmetic appearance - and sell for as much as possible. If anything goes wrong with the car they will deal with the consequences later.

Plans Performance avoids this. We only sell on consignment. We charge the seller for any work required to bring the car up to our very high standards. We guarantee that the car is as good as it can be: original, cosmetically excellent and mechanically faultless.

It’s good for sellers: They can relax in the knowledge that we can add value (the cost of our work is offset by the increased selling price); we deal with everything associated with the sale; and (because we do all the work before the sale) there will be no comeback.

It’s good for buyers: They can buy with confidence. Not only we can demonstrate several different NSXs for sale in the same place, we can guarantee to offer the best NSXs, with full transparency. We don’t hide anything. We are marque specialists and know the cars inside-out.

Here is a perfect example of our approach:

This NSX - It’s one of three similar spec cars we have for sale: A 1993 Manual Coupe in the classic Formula Red with black leather. It has covered 56,192 miles from new. The previous owner kept it for seventeen years. In between being professionally stored, it has been properly maintained with an excellent Honda main dealer service history. We have copies of all invoices and MOT certificates.

This car has been taken on consignment from the owner. He is an NSX enthusiast and has both bought and sold many NSXs with us.

We have just carried out a full, detailed health-check inspection. We pointed out every fault, however minor. The owner has instructed us to do everything on the list. This includes an engine-out refresh, check over, cam belt service and restoration. Unlike almost any other classic supercar, the result is an NSX that’ll be a joy. Easy to drive, easy to own, reliable, dependable, not ostentatious, just perfect.

Please call 01483 898888 or email info@plansperformance.com for more information or to arrange a viewing.

1991 Manual Coupe - 57,000 miles - £54,500

What makes someone buy something and then keep it for twenty-five years?

In today’s consumerist, disposable society of in-built obsolescence, this is an even more interesting question.

I’m not a person who has ever spent a moment’s thought on brand loyalty. I’m not loyal to brands. I wouldn’t buy the latest Ferrari, Porsche or Prada jacket just because of the label or the badge. I don’t think of brands as defining my identity. It’s just not how I view the world.

I’d like to think that the type of person that buys and keeps a Honda NSX shares my view. Brands are a triumph of marketing over design and engineering. Brands play on our emotions rather than our needs. It’s products - and good design - that matter, not brands.

The Honda NSX is simply a brilliant product. Reliable and dependable over the long haul. Excellent but understated. Classy but not pretentious. Never ostentatious but not anonymous. Now I’m getting emotional - but for the right reasons.

Kazuo Shimizu, the Japanese racing driver and motoring journalist, said: ‘I recommend any new owner to get to fully understand this machine and really discover the subtleties of its performance. This is a car that will only reveal itself to you slowly, but it’s definitely worth investing time in. A lifetime later, you’ll still be having fun discovering new things about the NSX.’

That’s why the owner of this car bought it new from Rowe’s Garage Truro on the 16th August 1991 and kept it for the next twenty-five years. Since then it has had two other owners. We have sold the car each time.

It is a five-speed manual in the classic Formula Red, black roof and black leather interior.

It has covered 57,576 miles and has a full Honda service history, including three cam-belt changes. It has nineteen Honda main dealer stamps in the service book and we have a file with invoices and all MOTs. Last year we carried out a full service inspection and fixed anything that needed doing. It is completely original, un-modified and has possibly the best provenance of any NSX we have seen.

If you are a slave to brands, buy a Ferrari. If you want a brilliant car, that will be a joy to own, then buy this.

Don’t believe what you read on the internet. If you Google “NSX Auto” there will be loads of people (most of whom have never driven one) advising you not to buy an auto.

There are several reasons why buying an F-matic NSX is a good decision:

1) When new, the NSX was the only genuine sports car available as an auto. In 1997, Ferrari, for example, didn't offer a two-pedal option - now you cannot buy a manual Ferrari!

2) If you broadened you choice to other grand tourers, the NSX was still the best car. There are few automatic classic cars that are better. Drive an auto Mercedes SL500 or a Jaguar XJS then drive an auto NSX. The NSX is vastly superior.

3) If you are looking for a car to use on longer journeys - for touring - then the auto option is better. Stress free, comfortable, easy to drive, etc etc... all the things the NSX was famous for.

4) When you are in drive in an auto, or in top gear in a manual, the auto and manual NSX are effectively the same.

5) In 1997, Honda improved the auto NSX with the F-matic. A much improved gear change, better ratios, and the paddle change semi-automatic option.

6) Finally - here’s the most important reason to buy an F-Matic NSX: This car is nearly twenty grand cheaper than the manual equivalent.

This car is a rare, 1997 Targa F-matic NSX. Charlotte green with tan leather. UK supplied, full history, 72,200 miles. Six owners, HPI clear. We have just carried out a full check over and carried out the all-important cam-belt service. Everything ( Air conditioning/ climate control, Bose Hi-Fi, power steering, ABS, etc) all works as it should.

So usable. Roof on; roof off; whatever. It’s become a bit of a cliché that the NSX is a sports car that you can use everyday: But it’s true.

£37,000

Full, detailed pictures can be seen on the gallery section of our website:

Please call 01483 898888 or email us at info@plansperformance.com for more information or to arrange a viewing.

1992 Manual Coupe - Left Hand Drive

First registered in Germany on 9th March 1992, this is a very rare genuine European specification Left-Hand-Drive Honda NSX (as opposed to an Acura from the USA). Registered in the UK on 10th February 1998 by the current owner.

Having been in dry, indoor storage for several years, we have just completed a full check-over, service (including a cam belt and water pump replacement), and brake and ABS fluid change, etc.

Everything works as it should, including air-con and Bose Hi-Fi. It is full ready to use and to enjoy.

The car has been properly looked after. Before going into storage, it was used as a second or third car and for trips between Devon in the UK and Germany. Having covered 157,500km (98,500 miles), the car is in very good, original condition and drives very well.

We have replaced the coolant pipes, radiator and have fitted a new battery. It has recently had a new clutch, oil sump and stainless steel brake lines. The car is available with the original wheels (that been freshly refurbished and new tyres fitted) or aftermarket 16”/17” wheels.

Apart from an aftermarket upgraded exhaust silencer (making the car sound better), the car is completely original and unmodified.

The car has a thick document file with the original German handbook , the original German and current UK registration documents, stamped service book showing services in the UK and Germany, many invoices and receipts, and two sets of original keys.

Sale to any other country is no problem and we can help with registration in the EU.

NA1 Type R coming soon!

Plans Performance have just returned from three weeks in Japan, a grand tour to view just about every decent NSX on the market in Japan.

We looked at cars both on behalf of clients and with a view to buying for stock.

We specialise in the best cars. Most of our cars are UK supplied.

If we do sell an imported NSX, there is one very important differentiator for Plans. We go out and personally inspect cars either on the owner's driveway or from the best dealers in Japan, Australia and Singapore.

Every other UK dealer selling imported NSXs simply work with an local agent to bring cars in that have been bought "blind" from Auctions. There is a reason why NSXs are sold in Japanese auctions: It is because they are the cars the domestic market doesn't want.... modified, unloved, with no history, etc etc.

Beware of adverts that show photographs of cars in the auction ring (it'll be a white painted garage) or at the docks. It means the UK dealer is purely placing a speculative advert, for a car that isn't even in the country.

As a result of the trip we have now obtained some great insights and contacts to enable us to deal direct and buy the best cars in Japan, risk-free. If you are looking for a NSX that has been previously used overseas (they all came from Japan originally!), or a special NSX (especially Type R, Type S, or super-low milage) then please contact us.

We have recently sourced a 1993 Type R that is en-route to us. Please call for more details.